The Principal’s letter to the Committee on her departure shows her scrupulous care of the property of others:-- “MY DEAR SIR, “I thank you much for your kind letter enclosing your cheque for £41 10s. 6d. “I take this opportunity of sending you the keys of the college. The house has been cleaned throughout. The chimneys have all been swept. “Some few stores--nearly ¹⁄₄ cwt. of soap, some dip candles, and two new scrubbing brushes--are in the closet in the pantry. “The new zinc ventilator is in the press used for the drawing materials. “Two cast-iron fenders, of mine, have been removed from two of the class-rooms. “I remain, my dear Sir, “Yours very sincerely, “S. ANNE PROCTER.” It was in May, 1858, that the advertisement for a new Principal of Cheltenham College appeared in various papers. CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE. “A vacancy having occurred in the office of lady Principal, candidates for the appointment are requested to apply by letter (with references) before June 1 to J. P. Bell, Esq., Hon. Sec., Cheltenham. “A well educated and experienced lady (between the ages of thirty-five and forty-five) is desired, capable of conducting an institution with not less than one hundred day pupils. “A competent knowledge of German and French, and a good acquaintance with general English literature, arithmetic, and the common branches of female education, are expected. “Salary, upwards of £200 a year, with furnished apartments and other advantages. “No testimonials to be sent until applied for, and no answers will be returned except to candidates apparently eligible.” Dorothea Beale applied for this post and was accepted as a candidate for the headship. She had now to set about getting testimonials and recommendations. Some of these are interesting. Miss Elwell, at whose school she had taught, wrote:-- “You have succeeded in making subjects usually styled dry, positively attractive, whilst your plan has been successful in forming not merely superficial scholars, even whilst producing results in a remarkably short period.” Her friend, Elizabeth Ann Alston, wrote:-- “Of her power of teaching others and making them delight in their studies, there is no doubt. But you do not know her, as I do, in her home and daily life: there all look up to her and seek her counsel.” Many testimonials were given as to her character and work, and these made such a favourable impression on the Cheltenham Committee that she was summoned for an interview on June 14.